Shopify powers millions of online stores, and for stores that have a physical location, serve local customers, or offer services alongside products, Google reviews represent some of the most persuasive social proof available. The reviews that customers leave on Google after visiting a shop or using a service are independently verified and carry more credibility than reviews collected through a store’s own first-party review system.
Displaying those Google reviews on your Shopify store ensures that every visitor, whether they arrived from a Google ad, an Instagram post, a referral, or organic search, encounters your verified reputation at the positions where they are deciding whether to buy or contact you. As the founder of ReputationRiser and a digital marketing professional with USA Marketing Pros, this guide covers exactly how to implement this on Shopify.
How to Add a Google Review Widget to Shopify Using the Theme Editor
The simplest method for adding a Google review widget to a Shopify store uses the Custom Liquid block in the Shopify theme editor. This works on all Shopify themes that support Online Store 2.0 (OS2), which includes all themes released since 2021.
Step 1: Sync your Google Business Profile to ReputationRiser and receive your widget code snippet. The snippet is a short piece of JavaScript that syncs to your Google Business Profile and renders your verified 5-star reviews wherever it is placed.
Step 2: In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store, then Themes, then click Customize on your active theme. This opens the visual theme editor.
Step 3: Navigate to the page where you want reviews to appear, such as the homepage or your About page. Click Add Section or Add Block in the left panel, then select Custom Liquid from the options available.
Step 4: Paste your widget snippet into the Custom Liquid block. The block will render the reviews widget in the position where you placed it. You can drag it to the correct position using the section ordering controls.
Step 5: Save and preview the page to confirm the widget renders correctly on both desktop and mobile. The widget is mobile-responsive and adjusts automatically to fit any screen width.
How to Add Google Reviews to Shopify by Editing a Section File (Advanced)
For stores that need more precise control over placement, or for themes that do not support Custom Liquid blocks, the widget snippet can be added directly to a theme section file through the Shopify code editor.
In the Shopify theme editor, go to the theme you want to edit and click the three-dot menu, then Edit Code. In the Sections folder, open the section file for the page where you want reviews to appear (for example, index.json for the homepage, or the relevant page section). Add the widget snippet in the appropriate position within the section’s Liquid template. Save the file and preview the page.
This method gives full control over placement but requires some familiarity with Shopify’s Liquid templating language. For most Shopify store owners, the Custom Liquid block method described above is the simpler and equally effective approach.
Where Should Google Reviews Appear on a Shopify Store
Placement strategy for Shopify depends on what type of store and business the Shopify site represents:
Service-based businesses using Shopify. For stores that sell services, bookings, or appointments through Shopify, reviews above the primary CTA on the homepage or above the booking or contact form convert the most visitors. The research on review placement for conversions applies directly: social proof at the decision moment is the highest-converting position.
Local retail stores with a physical location. For brick-and-mortar retailers who also sell online through Shopify, Google reviews from in-store customers displayed on the store website build the cross-channel trust that converts online browsers into in-store visitors. Reviews on the About page and the homepage work well for this audience.
Product stores without a local service component. For pure product e-commerce without a local service dimension, product-specific review platforms may be more relevant than Google Business Profile reviews. Google reviews are most powerful for businesses that have an ongoing local service or location relationship with their customers. If the store has a physical location or significant local customer base, displaying Google reviews is always worthwhile.
The general placement principles from our guide on Google reviews on website best practices apply to Shopify as they do to any other platform.
Shopify Versus Other Platforms for Google Review Display
Shopify is one of the platforms covered in the complete guide to how to display Google reviews on a website, alongside WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow. The setup process is consistent across platforms: sync your Google Business Profile, receive a code snippet, and paste it into the platform’s custom HTML or code block. The display, auto-updating behavior, and placement strategy are identical regardless of the platform. For WordPress users specifically, there is also a free Google review widget plugin for WordPress available as an alternative approach.
Is Displaying Google Reviews on Shopify Permitted
Yes. Displaying your own Google Business Profile reviews accurately on your website is permitted under Google’s Terms of Service, provided the reviews are shown without modification and accurately represent the ratings. Using an authorized API-based widget tool is the safest compliance approach. Full details are in our post on whether Google review widgets are legal. For a broader look at your options, see our best Google review widget guide, or our general walkthrough on how to add Google reviews to your website.
Display Your Google Reviews on Your Shopify Store
ReputationRiser syncs to your Google Business Profile and gives you a single code snippet you paste into any Shopify Custom Liquid block. Your verified 5-star reviews appear on your store automatically, updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you display Google reviews on a Shopify store?
Sync your Google Business Profile to ReputationRiser, receive your widget snippet, and paste it into a Custom Liquid block in the Shopify theme editor. The widget updates automatically every 24 hours.
Can you add Google review widgets to Shopify without coding?
Yes. Shopify’s Custom Liquid block lets you paste the widget snippet into any section of your store without touching theme files directly.
Do Google reviews on a Shopify store update automatically?
Yes. ReputationRiser updates your store display automatically every 24 hours from your Google Business Profile.
Is displaying Google reviews on Shopify legal?
Yes. Displaying your own Google reviews accurately is permitted under Google’s Terms of Service.
Where should Google reviews appear on a Shopify store?
Above the primary CTA on the homepage, on the About page, and above any contact or booking form. For local businesses, reviews near the main call to action convert the most visitors.
